Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• (in) hundredis suis de Wichefort c.1128 Thorney
• (in) hundredis suis (Eliensis ecclesia) de Wichefordia t.Hy2 Ch 1314
• (hundredo de) Wich(e)ford(e), (hundredo de) Wych(e)ford(e) 1178–89 ChronRams 17th MinAcct 1399
• Wiceford t.Hy5 Fleet
• Wecheforde 1418 MinAcct
• lauehove 1306 ElyF
• Louehoue t. Ed 1 ElyCh
• (le) Loweweye, (le) Loweweyehowe, (le) Loweweyehoue 13th, 1304–12 ElyCh
• Lowway 1693 Ct

Etymology

In DB and InqEl, the two hundreds of Ely are said to meet at Witchford (v. supra 213). Later the “hundred courte (was) houlden at Witchforde Stoune ″ (1596Depositions ). Cf. Wichfordstone 1419ElyCouch . In 1657 and 1660 we have reference to the “court kept at Lowhill called the Shereffesturn” (Ct ). Cf. cur ' de Wychamlowe 1409 ib., Wychamlowfurlong 1423ElyCh (apparently in or near Sutton).v. hlāw . In Witcham, too, we have lauehove 1306ElyF , Louehoue t. Ed 1ElyCh and (le ) Loweweye , (le ) Loweweyehowe , (le ) Loweweyehoue 13th, 1304–12ElyCh , Lowway 1693Ct , v. hōh , weg . Louehoue is presumably identical with Lowhill and Loweweye is the road leading to the meeting-place of the hundred.